As some of you may know (or now you do), my real job is as an District Health, Safety and Environment Manager in a large construction company (top 10 in the US).

I don't normally bring work to chipping but I wanted to share something with all of you. Call it my vent or my rant - but I need to blow off a little steam.

Today, I was notified that one of our project superintendents passed away today as a result of injuries suffered in a fall. He was enjoying one of his pastimes and was climbing a tree stand up a tree to deer hunt down south. As he was climbing, he and the stand fell approximately 13 feet to the ground. He had his rifle slung over his shoulder and he landed on his back on the rifle.

Fortunately, another hunter was nearby and saw him fall, and was able to get an air ambulance to deliver him to a nearby medical center.

Initally, he had no feeling from the neck down, but over the span of a few days, he regained feeling to his waist, but no further. He stabilized and had been improving, but this afternoon he passed away as a result of injuries to his spinal cord.

Although I only dealt with Eddie a few times, he was a tremendous guy, very passionate about what he did and had the respect of all of his crews and those that worked with him. Despite the tough exterior, he had a passion for working safely. He was always there if I had a question about cranes or rigging. We had a great bond and I had a lot of respect for him.

So, my point. Play safe. I don't know the details of why and am not commenting on Eddie.

So my advice, for what it's worth.

Wear a helmet when you should. Not only are you protecting your brain, but the brain of your kids and grandkids when the see the example you lead. This past week I (finally) bought a ski helmet. I have been skiing for over 20 years and have been making my kids wear one... shame on me.

Wear a seatbelt. Don't drink and drive, boat, motorcycle, ATV, fly, skydive, play on the trampoline, ski, snowmobile - you get the picture. Friends don't let friends drive drunk.

Work safe around home. If you'd wear safety gear at work doing something you're doing at home - why not wear it at home? Wear shoes when you mow the lawn, not sandals. Wear gloves. Wear safety glasses - they're cheap. I'd rather my neighbor call me an idiot for wearing them, but at least I can see him when he says it.

Chairs are for sitting, not standing. Get a ladder. Speaking of ladders, use them safely when you're hanging Christmas lights or cleaning the gutters. I've seen a couple of people end up injured clebrating the holidays on a ladder.

Breakers - they stop power from getting to the outlet. Don't assume the switch is enough to keep you from getting zapped when you're changing a light fixture. Trust me on that one - you never know when your kids are going to flip the switch on the wall when they come in to see what you're up to.

Anyway, some thoughts. I've seen too many people do things off the job they would never consider at work. Some of them end up in videos we laugh at and some end up causing a whole lot of grief for a lot of people when they died.

I'm going to miss Eddie.

TOM